Wisconsin Woman Describes Bear Attack

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Updated: 9:39 PM Jul 2, 2009 Wisconsin Woman Describes Bear Attack CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Kelly Wiltrout is more forgiving than a lot of people would be. She survived a terrifying attack by a black bear outside her Siren home. Posted: 9:39 PM Jul 2, 2009 Reporter: Associated Press

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CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Kelly Wiltrout is more forgiving than a lot of people would be. She survived a terrifying attack by a black bear outside her Siren home. But the former Chippewa Falls woman is quick to defend the bear.

She says it's not a bad bear, it just a nuisance bear that's looking for food.

Wiltrout, who is eight months pregnant, commented from the Chippewa Falls home of her parents, where she's visiting for the holiday weekend.

The incident happened Sunday evening when she took out some garbage. She says as she turned the corner the bear was right there with her, about 10 feet away, and they startled each other.

She says the bear reacted by jumping and knocking her down. It scratched at her, down her face and onto her shoulder, tearing her shirt, before walking away.

Now the Department of Natural Resources is hoping to trap the bear. Plans call for killing the animal because it's grown too accustomed to humans while raiding bird feeders and garbage cans.

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Posted by: Jacqueline StJohn Location: Boulder jct WI on Jul 3, 2009 at 08:18 AM

We are have a few bears here that visit the bird feeders once in a while. We have lost many oak trees to disease so this food source is gone. The yearling bear we saw last week was underweight.

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